AOD/AODE Optimal Fluid Levels

[friskyfrankie]

My understanding is that as long as the fluid is in the "cross-hatch" area of the dipstick, you are fine. Just curious if there is an optimal (sweet spot) within that level. Does the trany "like it better" on the lower end of that, the middle or the high end?

[Kodachrome Wolf]

AFAIK as long as it lands in the cross-hatch area at operating temperature, everything's good. Don't want to overfill.

Having shifting concerns?

[sly]

If you have leaks, high end. If you drive hard (turn sharp and lean hard), high end. If you drive for comfort and don't stress anything out, anywhere is fine.

[friskyfrankie]

AFAIK as long as it lands in the cross-hatch area at operating temperature, everything's good. Don't want to overfill.

Having shifting concerns?

Need to take a better look at the level to determine how high it really is. Sometimes I get a little "buck" or slip with the keyword being "sometimes". Would think if it is high (easy enough to determine) it would not feel right all the time. I'll be checking it in the next week or two after I get through some medical appointments. Don't see any leaks so that is good!

[gadget73]

The hash marks are 1 pint apart, total capacity is a smidge over 12 quarts for a completely empty trans. Within that 1 pint range it doesn't care.

A lot of "transmission" problems are really engine problems, so intermittent nonsense might be a misfire.

[friskyfrankie]

Good point on the misfire - will be looking into that in addition to the fluid level. When you say "hash marks are one pint apart" do you mean from the bottom of the hash to the top?

[gadget73]

yes. Bottom of the hash marks is the "add 1 pint" mark, or at least it is on the AOD. Don't remember if its actually marked on the dipstick or just in the owner's manual though.

[friskyfrankie]

Wonder what the functional/performance difference is between the level being at the lower line of the hatch marks and say in the middle of the hatch marks? That would be maybe a half pint?

[sly]

Functional difference should be none, but since the pickup is through the filter at the bottom, it needs enough fluid in it to keep the filter well fed. I know I kept my 88 MGM at the top mark because I would lean that thing in corners pretty hard and didn't want the trans pump sucking air. My 93 has the newer pan with the drain plug and the matching filter with the drop tube so it sucks in the drain plug sump area. Before that upgrade I was sucking air at times in sweeping right turns at speed.